ABOUT THE HAMPSHIRE BUILDINGS PRESERVATION TRUST

The Trust was formed by Hampshire County Council as part of its response to European Architectural Heritage Year in 1976. Its principal objective was to increase public awareness of the plight of those historic buildings which were suffering from either a lack of maintenance or lack of a viable use. For almost 30 years the Trust, operated a revolving fund which allowed it to purchase and restore a number of threatened buildings before putting them back on the market.
 
Not all the buildings that the Trust rescued were sold, a few have remained in the Trust ownership including Whitchurch Silk Mill, Bursledon Windmill, and the Physic Garden in Petersfield. These sites are currently administered by other bodies on the Trust's behalf. The Trust also owns Bursledon Brickworks, where the core buildings of the 19th Century works are Grade 2* listed buildings.
 
In recent years the Trust has changed its operation to reflect changes in the property market. It now provides an advisory role and operates from the Bursledon Brickworks site where it hosts a series of lectures and practical courses related to building conservation.
 
The Trust has also been an important support in the creation of the Bursledon Brickworks Industrial Museum. The Brickworks are home to a fascinating collection of buildings and artifacts, and is developing part of the site as a working country brickworks. In 2005 the firing of the recently built wood fired 'Scotch' kiln was the first in the country for more than 50 years. The Museum has become a significant local attraction, and hosts open days and special events for the public..
 
The Brickworks is also an ongoing building conservation project. Two of the 19th Century drying sheds are on the local planning authority's list of threatened historic buildings, and part of the Trust’s efforts over the years has been directed towards the restoration and re-use of these buildings.